Establishment of agro-ecological seed networks in the

States of Barinas and Portuguesa, Venezuela

GENERAL INFORMATION
Sources of information th
IFAD supported case study, submitted to the 8 Symposium of the
of the practice International Farming Systems Association (IFSA), entitled “Farming Systems
and Poverty: Making a Difference,” Global Learning Opportunity (GLO 2005),
Rome, 31/10– 4/11 2005 www.ifsaglo2005.org/
Relevant contacts Miguel Ángel Núñez, International Relations coordinator for IPIAT
Email: mnunez@ipiat.org.ve or info@ipiat.org.ve
Useful links
Institute for the Production and Investigation of Tropical Agriculture (IPIAT)
http://www.ipiat.org.ve/index.htm

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMME OR PROJECT PROMOTING THE

PRACTICE (IF APPLICABLE)
Programme or project Recovering degraded soil and establishing agro-ecological seed networks
Time frame 2003 - ongoing
Donor -
Implementer of the Local NGO: Institute for the Production and Investigation of Tropical
programme or project Agriculture (IPIAT)
LOCATION OF THE PRACTICE
Region South America
Country Venezuela
Province, Districts,
States of Barinas and Portuguesa
Villages
Climatic zone Humid, Sub-humid
Other descriptive
-
information
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRACTICE
Practice category Managing natural resources sustainably
Practice type Institutional practice for natural resource management
Institutional practice for empowering rural people
Sector Crop production system management
Institutions fostering Local NGO: Institute for the Production and Investigation of Tropical
the practice Agriculture (IPIAT)
Beneficiaries of the
Small scale farmers
practice
Users of the practice Small scale farmers
Natural resource used
or accessed Land, seed varieties
(if applicable)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICE
Background/problem IPIAT has obtained significant results in the development of agro-ecological
statement practices in some states in the west of Venezuela. This has led to a
considerable number of producers becoming interested in changing their
means of production and opting for a production model which eliminates the
use of agro-chemicals to improve farm activity, in terms of quality and
reduced production costs.
 However, one of the problems which the Venezuelan producers face is the
near zero production of seeds in the country to fill the needs of each growing
cycle. As a result of this situation, the producers agreed on the need to
establish networks of agro-ecologically-produced seeds, initiate a process of
soil recovery and acquire independence and autonomy in the acquisition of
seeds.
Approach followed The aim of the practice was to consolidate several networks of seed
production and to expand the agro-ecological technology base that IPIAT has
already jointly initiated and developed with some producers. The process had
several phases.

Phase one: this phase consisted of educational processes to share

knowledge among farmers and their families. A participatory methodology
allowed the farmers to explain their common land and field problems such as
soil erosion, high acidity, low organic matter in the soil, low or no presence of
microbiological activity, agrochemical contamination of the soil. To overcome
these problems, the farmers received training by IPIAT staff on agro-
ecological techniques, and were encouraged to apply and to evaluate the
results. Some of the agro-ecological techniques promoted were:
polycropping, green manure, agro-ecological soil management, dry mulching,
terrace-bench techniques.

Phase two: a systematic process was applied to provide single producers

with the appropriate techniques in order to help the small scale farmers in
their process of recovering their degraded land. This process was also
complemented with information on how to cultivate staple food crops and
how to produce seeds.

Phase three: this phase entailed the organization of meetings with groups of
farmers to exchange knowledge and working experiences and seeds. An
evaluation of the production of the techniques was carried out and the
results, achievements, and benefits in different types of communities were
discussed. Efforts were made to initiate activities for the agro-ecological
production of black and red beans, and to create networks for participatory
management of seed banks. This will contribute towards diminishing the
demand for the import of this staple food.
Innovative elements Establishment of networks for agro-ecological seed production
Impacts on natural
Actual: An area of 200 acres has been fully recovered.
resource base
Impacts on livelihood Actual: A group of 123 producers in 23 different communities are now using
of the practice users agro-ecological techniques. 60 to 95 technicians are working to train farmers
interested in gaining understanding of this innovative approach. Several
networks of agro-ecological seeds have been established and some
traditional seeds have been recovered.
Other impacts Actual: IPIAT has joined the World Seed Peasant Campaign Program.
Expected: IPIAT is expecting to establish the first network of black bean agro-
ecological seeds in the western areas of Venezuela within the next 3 years.
General success • Recognition of IPIAT’s capability in the development of agro-ecological
factors practices in different states in the west of Venezuela.
• Organization of workshops, meetings and a campaign against transgenic
food
• Recovery of soil and water
• Preservation of biodiversity
• Agro-ecological coffee policy to raise awareness of farmers and local
authorities
 • Communication with farmers was demonstrated to be crucial for the
dissemination of Sustainable SARD and agro-ecological practices and to
increase social and political pressure for the advancement of SARD
• The Ministry of Superior Education sold 10,000 kilograms of black bean
seeds, 2,500 kilograms of red beans and 13,000 kilograms of corn to the
programme to create seed bank
• Farmers recognized their need to improve their capacity in producing the
seeds and using their knowledge of the environment to manage the
natural resources
Technology success Address farmer needs, priorities and management
factors Maintain or increase biodiversity
Institutional success Farmer’s capacity for adoption of the technology
factors Ownership by end users
Problems remaining to Lack of money was one of the main problems. Most of the activities were
be resolved often funded by the farmers themselves. Another difficulty was the lack of
land. Some farmers have to rent or share land to engage in and obtain the
benefits of the activities promoted through the programme. One approach
undertaken was the creation of cooperatives in order to demand a land
reform by the local government. As a result, the Venezuelan Government has
started to realize not only that land tenure is one of the main problems in
agricultural policy, but also that land should be cultivated in a sustainable and
agro-ecological way.
Keywords Agriculture, biodiversity, capacity building, crop production, crops,
empowerment, genetic resources, land use, natural resources management,
public awareness, renewable resources, seeds, soil fertility, technology
transfer, yields